"FOOD FOOD JUNCTION"











Mahalaya The Festival Begins
Mahalaya The Festival Begins.












Mahalaya The Festival Begins







Author: Rana Sharma.





Mahalaya is a significant and huge event in Indian culture, especially for the people who follow the Hindu religion. It denotes the start of the Durga Puja celebration, which is a significant Hindu celebration celebrated fundamentally in the Indian province of West Bengal and in different pieces of India.

 

Mahalaya commonly falls in the long stretch of Ashwin (typically in September or October) and is seen on the last day of the dull fortnight (the winding down period of the moon) known as "Pitru Paksha." This day is devoted to respecting and recalling that one's progenitors, particularly expired relatives. It is accepted that during Pitru Paksha, the spirits of left progenitors draw nearer to the living, and contributions and petitions to heaven are made to look for their gifts and harmony for their spirits.

 

One of the most renowned social parts of Mahalaya is the radio program known as "Mahisasura Mardini." This program is a recitation of an old Sanskrit text called "Chandi Way" that portrays the tale of the goddess Durga's fight with the evil spirit Mahishasura. This program is communicated promptly in the first part of the day on Mahalaya and has been a practice for a really long time, representing the approach of Durga Puja and conjuring the goddess' endowments to vanquish underhanded powers.

 

After Mahalaya, the arrangements for Durga Puja escalate, and elaborate icon establishments and beautifications are made in pandals (impermanent designs) across West Bengal and different locales where the celebration is commended. The genuine Durga Puja celebration generally goes on for five days, finishing with the submersion of the Durga icons in streams or different waterways. It is a period of extraordinary merriment, social exhibitions, and local meetings.







History of  Mahalaya:






Tarpan, Culture of Mahalaya
Tarpan.












The historical backdrop of Mahalaya is firmly connected with the legend of the goddess Durga and her fight with the evil presence Mahishasura. The practice of noticing Mahalaya has profound roots in Hindu folklore and has advanced over hundreds of years. Here is a concise outline of the historical backdrop of Mahalaya:

 

Antiquated Starting points: The beginnings of Mahalaya can be followed back to old Hindu sacred writings and legends. The narrative of Durga's fight with Mahishasura is principally seen as in the "Devi Mahatmya" or "Chandi Way," which is a sacrosanct text that is essential for the Markandeya Purana. This text portrays the story of the goddess Durga's creation, her signs, and her definitive victory over the bison evil presence, Mahishasura.

 

Formation of Goddess Durga: As per the legend, when the devil Mahishasura compromised the sky with his oppression, the divine beings made the goddess Durga. Durga was an exemplification of heavenly female power, and she was outfitted with the weapons of different divine beings. Her creation denoted a defining moment in the fight against malevolence, and she in the long run crushed Mahishasura after a furious fight going on for nine days.

 

Mahalaya and Pitru Paksha: The idea of Mahalaya became entwined with the Pitru Paksha, a period devoted to regarding one's predecessors. It is accepted that during this time, the spirits of withdrawn precursors are accepted to get back to the natural domain. Mahalaya is the day when exceptional customs, petitions, and contributions are made to respect and look for endowments for the spirits of expired progenitors. It is an approach to extending admiration and appreciation to one's progenitors.

 

Radio Program "Mahisasura Mardini": The practice of paying attention to the "Mahisasura Mardini" radio program on Mahalaya morning is a moderately present day improvement. This program, which incorporates the recitation of stanzas from the "Chandi Way" and reflection tunes, was first transmission by All India Radio (AIR) in 1931. It was made by Birendra Krishna Bhadra and has since turned into a basic piece of Mahalaya festivities. It is accepted to summon the favors of the goddess Durga and represents her appearance to overcome evil.

 

Durga Puja and Celebrations: Following Mahalaya, arrangements for the Durga Puja celebration start vigorously. Craftsmans make elaborate Durga icons, and pandals (transitory designs) are developed for the fabulous festivals. The actual celebration goes on for five days, coming full circle in the drenching of Durga symbols in water bodies. It is a period of far-reaching developments, music, dance, and collective festival.

 

In synopsis, Mahalaya has a rich verifiable and legendary importance, and it denotes the start of the Durga Puja celebration. It is a period for both strict recognition to respect predecessors and a social festival of the triumph of good over underhanded through the narrative of goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.







Mahalaya Impact On Hindu Culture:







Mahalaya essentially affects Hindu culture, especially in the districts where it is praised with extraordinary excitement, like West Bengal and different pieces of India. Its impact on Hindu culture should be visible in different viewpoints:

 

Strict Importance: Mahalaya has serious areas of strength for an and otherworldly importance in Hindu culture. It is a day for offering appreciation to one's progenitors, offering petitions, and looking for their gifts. Hindus trust that during the Pitru Paksha period and on Mahalaya, the spirits of perished relatives draw nearer to the living, and it is a chance to offer thanks and guarantee their prosperity in life following death.

 

Commitment to Goddess Durga: Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Durga Puja celebration, which is perhaps of the most significant and generally observed Hindu celebration, particularly in West Bengal. The narrative of Durga's fight with Mahishasura isn't simply a legend yet an image of the victory of good over evil. This commitment to the goddess and the festival of her triumph assume a significant part in Hindu culture.

 

"Mahisasura Mardini" Custom: The early morning radio program, "Mahisasura Mardini," is a treasured practice on Mahalaya. It unites individuals and makes a feeling of solidarity and dedication. The recitation of refrains from the "Chandi Way" and reflection melodies cultivates a sensation of otherworldliness and conjures the presence and endowments of the goddess Durga.

 

Local area and Family Holding: Mahalaya is when families meet up to perform tribal customs and make contributions. It reinforces family bonds and fills in as a sign of the significance of respecting one's underlying foundations and precursors. It likewise advances a feeling of local area as individuals assemble in pandals during Durga Puja to celebrate and take part in comprehensive developments.

 

Social Festivals: The whole time of Durga Puja, started by Mahalaya, is set apart by social festivals, including conventional music, dance, craftsmanship, and social projects. These festivals exhibit the rich social legacy of the district and advance imaginative articulation. They impact Hindu culture, as they have turned into a method for safeguarding and exhibit customs.

 

Social and Monetary Effect: The Durga Puja celebration, which starts with Mahalaya, has a significant social and financial effect in the districts where it is praised. It creates monetary action, gives work to craftsmans and laborers, and adds to the nearby economy. It additionally advances the travel industry, as individuals from different pieces of the nation and even from abroad visit these areas to take part in the celebrations.

 

All in all, Mahalaya affects Hindu culture by joining components of otherworldliness, commitment, family customs, social festivals, and social and financial importance. It fills in as a binding together and enhancing part of Hindu culture, especially with regards to Durga Puja festivities in specific locales of India.






🙏 Stay safe and enjoy the beginning of Festival 🙏







Thanking You

Yours Foodie Friend 

Rana.